Method and apparatus for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container
View Patent ↗An invention for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet, and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strips.
1. A method for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container, comprising:
feeding a web of flexible film;
feeding a supply of interlockable cable fastener strips;
orienting a slider to a predetermined orientation;
placing the slider on the fastener strips;
incorporating the fastener strips with the web of flexible film; and
placing a product within the web.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said incorporating is by fusing the fastener strips to the web.
3. The method of claim 1 which further comprises providing a slider with a locking end and an unlocking end, wherein said feeding a supply of interlockable fastener strips is in a direction, and wherein said orienting a slider is to a predetermined orientation in which the unlocking end faces the direction of said feeding.
4. The method of claim 1 which further comprises providing a slider with a locking end and an unlocking end, wherein said feeding a supply of interlockable fastener strips is in a direction, and wherein said orienting a slider is to a predetermined orientation in which the locking end faces the direction of said feeding.
5. The method of claim 1 which further comprises holding the slider in a static position during said feeding the web.
6. The method of claim 1 which further comprises:
spreading apart the feet of the slider before said placing.
7. The method of claim 1 which further comprises moving the slider relative to the fastener strips such that a portion of the fastener strips are interlocked.
8. The method of claim 7 which futher comprises:
feeding a supply of tamper evident seals; and
incorporating the tamper evident seals with one of the flexible web or the fastener strips.
9. The method of claim 1 which further comprises fusing together an end of the fastener strips to the web to form a corner seal.
10. The method of claim 9 which further comprises:
dividing the web into a plurality of containers by forming a seal generally across the film.